Meet Mattias Hiding who did hos premiere in mens div.2 last weekend!

We got hold of Mattias Hiding who made a “double” debut last Saturday. His first match as head referee in Div.2 men and also competition debut for the season 2021. We had a chat with Mattias who sat under a parasol and enjoyed the weather up in Lycksele, in northern Sweden.

Hi Mattias. How are you?
- Everything is just fine, I enjoy the weather with the family.

Wonderful to hear. You had your debut last Saturday in Div.2. Tell us briefly about that feeling!
- Yes, last Saturday I made premiere in div.2. And the premiere for a competitive match this year also. I have had few training matches and I was nervous, more than usual. I talked briefly with my referee coach, and he just asked me “Why? You do not have to be, you can do this”. And the feeling after the match was good and the team was happy. It was a quiet match with two warnings.

Who is Mattias then?
- I grew up in Lycksele, in northern Sweden. Now I live 8 km north of Lycksele, in a small village. I have lived here all my life, and now living with three children and a partner. I am 34 years old and work at “Bilbolaget Nord AB” as a customer service representative. Works, among other things, with service agreements.

We have heard that you love the outdoors and hunting. Is it correct?
- Yes it’s correct. It has been an interest since I was little. To fish, hunt and be in the nature. I became interested in hunting through friends and I graduated as a hunter when I was in sixth grade. Hiking and just being is wonderful. And in Norrland then nature is really nice, and I’m happy with it just to live next doors to that. During high school, I also went to hunting and fishing high school, it became a natural choice. I have played football until the second year of high school. Football has also been with me since I was little.

How did you being a Referee and how long have you been a Referee?
- It all started with a teacher in primary school, who then were a Referee high up in div.1. He thought I should start refereeing and I was curious too. He saw that we might use Mattias to be a Referee and it started with a municipal class series, where I started just for fun. After that, it was youth matches and association referees. After this, I started with seniors, and went step 1 in 2002. The teacher may have had an ulterior motive even then, when I think about it.

In which divisions are you a Referee today?
- I went to Step 1 in 2002, Step 2 I do not remember right now and then Step 3 in 2019. In 2019 I had 7 to 8 test matches in div.3 which went well, very well. And in 2020 I was regular in div.3 and it was definitely my best season. For the past 6 years, I have realized that I am taking a fewer number of matches, because I want to invest in this and want quality. On my match list, upcoming matches, I have only three as main referees but also a couple assistant referee div.1 men and the highest league for women in Sweden, also on the line. However, I want for the most to be a Head Referee. Normally I have 2 to 3 matches in a week.

Describe a regular week of training and matches. How often and what kind of training?
- I train about 3 times a week. During the season, when there are matches, there will be a little more rest. I am quite spontaneous and have not set up an exact training schedule week by week. But for example, there may be intervals on Monday, running with the dogs on a Tuesday night and about 10 km. A little strength at home and is absolutely not a gym guy - but keeps up with simple accessories at home. Wednesday is match, prepared the night before and always keep track of the team, pack the bag, how the team is and which players are involved. I try not to form any preconceived notions, but take the match where it is, regardless of who usually talks negatively or collects many cards. I often have two assistant, the same, with me who also live in Lycksele. We work well together and we have become a good team. But it varies and I referee with others of course! Thursday is rest, Friday I feel how the body feels and maybe just do some everyday exercise with children or family. Saturday is match again and Sunday rest. Usually 9 km up to 14 km per match. But on average, it will be between 10 and 11 km as the head referee.

You live in Norrland. There is some long journeys to match, I suspect - how long?
- I belong to div.2 Norrland, which is big geographic. Gigantic. All the way from the top of Boden and down to Sundsvall and a little further down we have to cover. I have a good coach who thinks about how I travel, otherwise it would not have been sustainable. For example, last Saturday it was 55 miles trip. But can also be upwards 80 miles. To go by train or bus in Norrland is not the easiest, so I drive most of the time. It would have been fun to try out a match further down in southern Sweden.

Any match you are extra proud to have been a referee for?
- A calm match, div 4. Piteå - Kopparberg, as I would like to say that I received a receipt that this is something I want to do. It was during my step 3 training, last year. I am critical of myself and forget to find the positive things. The observer who watched the match, said after the match “Mattias, you should be super happy. This was good”. It felt so nice and I often think about it, that I should try to disconnect the negative points and bring out the positive ones more. Leadership and body language were good. Then I felt proud and happy! I have made matches higher up, for example the highest league for women on the line, and more. But this match gave me as a referee more to be proud of!

What is a Referee and what qualities do you think are most important?
- A good referee should be able to have a dialogue with the players. You should be able to talk to the players and show a good commitment. You have to show that you are there because you love football. But you have to be able to say "now it's like this, period". I think you should be loyal to players and leaders. They do not have the same rule knowledge as we do and they must be allowed to ask questions in the right way. Authority, dialogue and commitment are the most important qualities in my opinion. One must dare to make uncomfortable decisions, be able to lead a match, even if it is calm one or tough.

If we had asked the players about you, what do you think they would say?
- I think they think I'm committed and that I'm there for them. I hope they also consider me as a good matchleader. That I am consistent and try to do the best and the same for both teams.

There have been some new rules and chances for football last years. Which new rule or improvement do you like best?
- The rule where the ball hits the referee - About time! At the same time as it feels a bit silly, we can not disappear. The teams and players does not know about it and it is perceived a bit strange, from players. But like I said, a good rule. Another good new rule is also the offside rule where you disturb the goalkeeper, it is good. I am an old goalkeeper and you will be disturbed if they are in the line of sight. It has become clearer and simpler.

Three quick questions with Mattias:

1. Best referee stuff you can not be without?
- Molten, the whistle!
2. Black, blue, red or yellow?
- Blue. Love the blue sweater!
3. Gravel shoes, running shoes or soccer shoes as a referee?
- Various. Both grass shoes and cross-country running shoes. Salomon SpeedCross 5 otherwise Copa Mundial.

Thank you Mattias and good luck in I Div.2 this year!